Wendy M Erb, PhD

Wendy M. Erb
Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Anthropology
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
[email protected] | (848) 932-9393 | www.rci.rutgers.edu/~wme11
Education
M.A./Ph.D. | Anthropological Sciences | Stony Brook University
2012
Thesis: Male-male competition and loud calls in one-male groups of simakobu (Simias concolor) on
Siberut Island, Indonesia
Committee: Drs. Carola Borries, Julia Fischer, Charles Janson, Ryne Palombit, Patricia Wright
B.S. (Magna Cum Laude) | Zoology (Spanish Minor) | The Ohio State University
Advisor: Dr. Tom Waite
2001
Professional Appointments
Project Manager | USAID supported project for research & education in Indonesia 2013–present
Postdoctoral Associate | Anthropology | Rutgers University
2013–present
Study Abroad Program Assistant Director | Center for Global Education | Rutgers 2014
Adjunct Assistant Professor | Anthropology | Lehman College - CUNY
2012
Research & Fieldwork
Orangutan long calls and stress | Tuanan, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
2013–present
Collected behavioral, ranging, and acoustic data from flanged male orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus
wurmbii); fecal and urinary samples for analyses of health and energy status
Orangutan energy & stress | Hominoid Reproductive Ecology Lab, U New Mexico 2014
Analyzed urine samples from flanged male orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii) to assess
energy status and stress, including: C-peptide, cortisol, creatanine, and testosterone
Collaboration with Drs. Erin Vogel and Melissa Emery Thompson
Acoustic analysis of loud calls | Cognitive Ethology Unit, German Primate Center 2006, 2009
Analyzed simakobu (Simias concolor) loud calls recorded during 2005-2008 fieldwork,
Collaboration with Drs. Julia Fischer and Kurt Hammerschmidt
Dissertation data collection | Pungut Station, Siberut Island, Indonesia
2005–2008
Collected behavioral, demographic, ranging, acoustic data from 10 simakobu groups; botanical
data from 15 permanent plots; monthly phenological data from 400 trees and lianas; 150 fecal
samples for DNA analysis; Created herbarium of 150 specimens; Trained 8 guides and students
Pilot study of lemur seed dispersal | Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar
2004
Collected behavioral data from several groups of red-fronted brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus
rufus), Collected and analyzed fecal samples, Conducted seed germination trials
Wendy M. Erb | [email protected] | (848) 932-9393 | www.rci.rutgers.edu/~wme11
| July 2014
Publications
Erb, WM. Ranging and intergroup interactions in one-male and all-male groups of simakobu (Simias
concolor) (in prep)
Erb, WM, T Ziegler, NS Lestari, K Hammerschmidt. Loud calls as honest signals of male energy
status in simakobu (Simias concolor). (in prep)
Erb, WM, JK Hodges, K Hammerschmidt. 2013. Individual, contextual and age-related acoustic
variation in simakobu (Simias concolor) loud calls. PLOS ONE. 8 (12): e83131.
Erb, WM, C Borries, NS Lestari, JK Hodges. Annual variation in ecology and reproduction of wild
simakobu (Simias concolor). International Journal of Primatology. 33 (6): 1406-1419.
Erb, WM, C Borries, NS Lestari, T Ziegler. 2012. Demography of simakobu (Simias concolor) and the
impact of human disturbance. American Journal of Primatology. 74 (6): 580-590.
Erb, WM, K Ossi-Lupo, G McCabe, D Fernández. 2011 Annual meeting of the American Society
of Primatologists. Evolutionary Anthropology. 21 (1): 3-4.
Lestari, NS, WM Erb. 2011. Identification and composition of feeding plant species of simakobu
(Simias concolor) in northern Siberut Mentawai Archipelago. Widyariset. 14 (2): 323-332.
Erb, WM. 2008. Conservation Small Grant Award Report: Behavioral ecology of simakobu
monkeys (Simias concolor) in northern Siberut, Indonesia. ASP Bulletin. 32 (1): 8-10.
Erb, WM, EM St. Clair, M Jonas. 2006. From syntax to synapomorphies. Evolutionary Anthropology.
15 (4): 119-120.
Abstracts of Conference Presentations
Erb, WM, T Ziegler, K Hammerschmidt, C Borries. 2012. Loud calls as honest signals of male
energy status in simakobu (Simias concolor). International Primatological Society 24th Congress.
Erb, WM, C Borries, NS Lestari, T Ziegler. 2011. Demography and dispersal of Simakobu (Simias
concolor) and the impact of human disturbance. 34th Annual Meeting of the American Society
of Primatologists. American Journal of Primatology 73: 28.
Erb, WM, T Ziegler, K Hammerschmidt. 2010. Are male loud calls costly signals in a folivorous
primate (Simias concolor)? 47th Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society.
Erb, WM, T Ziegler, K Hammerschmidt. 2010. Do loud calls reflect energy status in male simakobu
monkeys (Simias concolor)? 79th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical
Anthropologists. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 141: 101.
Erb, WM. 2008. Male-male competition in simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor): The role of loud
calls. International Primatological Society 22nd Congress. Primate Eye 96: 24.
Erb, WM. 2006. Patterns and variation in long-distance communication of simakobu monkeys
(Simias concolor) on Siberut Island, Indonesia - a pilot study. 75th Annual Meeting of the
American Assoc of Physical Anthropologists. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 129: 87.
Erb, WM. 2005. Preliminary investigation of seed dispersal by red-fronted brown lemurs (Eulemur
fulvus rufus) in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. 74th Annual Meeting of the American
Association of Physical Anthropologists. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 126: 100.
Wendy M. Erb | [email protected] | (848) 932-9393 | www.rci.rutgers.edu/~wme11
| July 2014
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Teaching & Mentoring
Course & Lab Instructor
ANT 171 (Intro to Human Evolution) | Lehman | 1 section
2012
Lab Instructor
ANP 120 (Intro to Physical Anthropology) | Stony Brook | 6 sections
2009, 2006
*Presented lectures “Primate Mating Systems” and “Introduction to the Fossil Record”
BIO 150 (The Living World) | Stony Brook | 1 section
2004
BIO 201 (Organisms to Ecosystems) | Stony Brook | 2 sections
2003
Teaching Assistant
ANT 296 (European Traditions) | Stony Brook
2010
ANT 102 (Introduction to Cultural Anthropology) | Stony Brook
*Presented lecture “The Mentawaians: Past, Present and Future”
2005
ANT 295 (Sex and Human Nature) | Stony Brook
2004
Mentor
Simakobu Population Genetics | Universitas Indonesia
2009–2012
Initiated and advised research project for Master’s student thesis (Fauzan Syamsuri)
Applied Math & Statistics 575 (Internship in Consulting) | Stony Brook
2010
Developed and oversaw research project for Master’s student internship (Sybil Baby)
Field Instructor
Primates, Ecology, & Conservation in Indonesia | Java & Borneo, Indonesia
2014
Organized and co-led study abroad program for Indonesian and American students
Behavior & Conservation of Bolivian Primates | Tahuamanu Station, Bolivia
2014
Organized and co-led primate field course for Bolivian students and professionals
Trash Education & Community Clean-up | Tuanan Village, Indonesia
2013
Organized and led trash education workshop with children from local community
Primates, Ecology, & Conservation in Indonesia | Tuanan Station, Indonesia
Organized and co-led field course for Indonesian and American students
2013
Field Research Methods | SCP Field Station, Siberut, Indonesia
2007–2008
Organized and led semi-monthly research methods course for Indonesian students
English | SCP Field Station, Siberut, Indonesia
Organized and led nightly 1-hour English course for local community
2007
English | Centre ValBio, Ranomafana, Madagascar
Organized and led weekly 3-hour English course for local community
2004
Wendy M. Erb | [email protected] | (848) 932-9393 | www.rci.rutgers.edu/~wme11
| July 2014
3
Grants & Awards
“Direct and indirect fitness benefits of cooperative behavior in wild saddleback tamarins” (co-PI’s
Leila Porter & Anthony Di Fiore)
2014
Goldberg Research Grant – The Nacey Maggioncalda Foundation, $10,000
“Babysitting monkeys provide clues about human evolution” (co-PI Leila Porter)
RocketHub (Crowdfunding), $2,425
2014
“Behavior & conservation of Bolivian primates: A training & professional development workshop
for Bolivian Biologists” (co-PI Leila Porter)
Primate Action Fund - Conservation International, $5,000
2013
“Fitness benefits of cooperative behavior in Bolivian saddleback tamarins” (co-PI’s Leila Porter &
Anthony Di Fiore)
The Leakey Foundation, $22,000
2012
Sherwood Washburn Prize for Outstanding Student Research – “Do loud calls reflect energy status
in male simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor)?”
th
79 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, $750
2010
American Dissertation Fellowship, Alternate
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
2010
“Population genetics of simakobu (Simias concolor) in northern Siberut, Indonesia”
Primate Action Fund - Conservation International, $3,500
2008
“Male-male competition in simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor): Strategies & signals” (co-PI Carola
Borries)
National Science Foundation DDIG (BCS-0752504), $12,818
2008
“Behavioral ecology of simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor) in northern Siberut, Indonesia”
Margot Marsh Biodiversity Fund - Conservation International, $10,000
2008
“Behavioral ecology of simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor) in northern Siberut, Indonesia”
Primate Conservation, Inc., $2,500
2008
“Behavioral ecology of simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor) in northern Siberut, Indonesia”
Primate Action Fund - Conservation International, $4,000
2007
“Behavioral ecology of simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor) in northern Siberut, Indonesia”
American Society of Primatologists, $1,500
2007
“Behavioral ecology of simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor) in northern Siberut, Indonesia”
Margot Marsh Biodiversity Fund - Conservation International, $22,000
2006
“Intergroup aggression & long-distance communication in simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor) on
Siberut Island, Indonesia”
Primate Action Fund - Conservation International, $2,500
2005
“Intergroup aggression & long-distance communication in simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor) on
Siberut Island, Indonesia”
Primate Conservation, Inc., $2,000
2005
Wendy M. Erb | [email protected] | (848) 932-9393 | www.rci.rutgers.edu/~wme11
| July 2014
4
“Intergroup aggression & long-distance communication in simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor) on
Siberut Island, Indonesia”
Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences, Stony Brook, $700
2005
Graduate Research Fellowship, Honorable Mention
National Science Foundation
2005
Primate Interest Group Student Prize, Honorable Mention – “Preliminary investigation of seed
dispersal by red-fronted brown lemurs (Eulemur fulvus rufus) in Ranomafana National Park,
Madagascar”
th
74 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists
2005
Invited Presentations
Dept. of Anthropology Speaker Series | Rutgers University
2013
“Male-male competition and loud calls in one-male groups of simakobu (Simias concolor)”
Dept. of Biology | Universitas Nasional, Jakarta, Indonesia
2013
“Male-male competition and loud calls in one-male groups of simakobu (Simias concolor)”
Seventh Grade Science Classes | AI Root Middle School, Medina, OH
“Primate diversity & conservation: Lessons from Indonesia”
2012
Dept. of Veterinary Medicine | Bogor Agricultural University, Bogor, Indonesia
2008
“Male-male competition in simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor): Strategies & signals”
Dept. of Reproductive Biology | German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany
2007
“Male-male competition in simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor): First findings & future directions”
Dept. of Forest Resources Conservation | Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia 2006
“Male-male competition in simakobu monkeys (Simias concolor): Strategies & signals”
Workshops, Panels, & Seminars
Wednesday Workshops in Anthropology | Rutgers University
2013
Co-led workshop for Anthropology graduate students: “How to get a postdoc (and make
the most of it)”
USAID-supported Rutgers-UNAS Planning Workshop | Rutgers University
2013
Co-led and organized workshop to promote forest management and biodiversity through
research and education partnerships between Rutgers University and Universitas Nasional
Communicating Science Workshop | Stony Brook School of Journalism
2010
Participated in hands-on workshop (featuring Alan Alda) to improve scientists’ communication
skills with the help of experienced science communicators and journalists
General Education Assessment Panel | Stony Brook Provost
2003
Participated in panel that assessed effectiveness of teaching methods in undergrad biology,
Results of study used to improve campus- and statewide undergrad science curriculum
Wendy M. Erb | [email protected] | (848) 932-9393 | www.rci.rutgers.edu/~wme11
| July 2014
5
Fields of Interest
Animal communication | Biodiversity conservation | Human-wildlife conflict | Primate health &
energetics | Primate mating strategies | Primate socioecology | Sexual selection | Tropical ecology
Graduate Coursework
Biometry | Conservation Genetics (Columbia U) | Elementary Indonesian II (Columbia U) |
Fundamental of GIS in Ecology & Conservation (Columbia U) | Human Evolution | Primate
Behavior & Ecology | Primate Conservation | Primate Evolution | Principles of Ecology |
Principles of Evolution | Science & Romance of Wine | Theory & Methods in Primatology
Languages
English | First language
Spanish | Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking
Indonesian | Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking
Professional Service
Ad hoc reviewer | Graduate Women in Science
Ad hoc reviewer | Oxford University Press
Website administrator | Behavioral Ecology Group | Stony Brook
Ad hoc reviewer | International Journal of Primatology
Ad hoc reviewer | Primate Conservation, Inc.
Treasurer | Behavioral Ecology Group | Stony Brook
Alternate Senator | Graduate Student Organization | Stony Brook
Ad hoc reviewer | Evolutionary Anthropology
2013
2012
2011–2012
2009–2012
2010
2005–2006
2005–2006
2005
Professional Memberships
American Association of Physical Anthropologists
American Society of Primatologists
Animal Behavior Society
Center for Human Evolutionary Studies
International Primatological Society
Professional References
Dr. Carola Borries | Department of Anthropology | Stony Brook University
[email protected]
Dr. Leila Porter | Department of Anthropology | Northern Illinois University
[email protected]
Dr. Erin Vogel | Department of Anthropology | Rutgers University
[email protected]
Dr. Patricia Wright | Department of Anthropology | Stony Brook University
[email protected]
Wendy M. Erb | [email protected] | (848) 932-9393 | www.rci.rutgers.edu/~wme11
| July 2014
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